MARCH 11, 2018 • 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT

Reflecting on God’s Word Andrea had done everything her parents had warned her against and had lied to cover it up. But itʹs impossible to keep a secret in a small town, so she stopped talking to them. When they continued ʺnaggingʺ her she moved out ʺforever,ʺ telling her parents she ʺdidnʹt have a familyʺ anymore. Eight months later, broke and lonely, she chanced to see her father on the street. Certain he would condemn her, she turned way--too late. ʺHello, Andrea. How have you been?ʺ Andrea could not contain her tears when she heard the words, ʺSweetheart, your mom and I would love for you to come home.ʺ What must it have been like for the Israelites to learn that they were free to go home from their exile? No questions asked. All debts forgiven. A new beginning. If we can imagine their joy and gratitude perhaps we can understand more deeply the tremendous gift we have been given in baptism--Godʹs mercy gives us the courage to leave our self-imposed exiles and come home.

--Virginia Stillwell Copyright (c) 2014, World Library Publications.

All rights reserved.

Living God's Word We don't always "come toward the light" (John 3:20). Sometimes we prefer the darkness. We might fear being condemned if our deeds are brought to light or we may simply be unable to find our way in the dark. We need the light of Christ to help us believe once more in God's merciful love.

Copyright (c) 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Readings for the Week Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30 Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53 Sunday: Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:3-4, 12-15; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33

Weekend Mass Times:

Sat. 5:00pm Sun. 7:30, 9:30,11:30am

www.stmaryfc.org Facebook: @stmarymundelein

Twitter: @stmarymundelein Instagram: @stmarymundelein

NOT ENOUGH It is not enough for me to love God, if my neighbor does not love God.

—St. Vincent de Paul

Mass Intentions Monday, March 12 8:00AM †Chester F. Biel, Jr. req. E. J. & J. M. Zych †Gertrude Ewald req. Jack Molidor Tuesday, March 13 8:00AM †Nick Petrocelli req. Wife Angie †Rita Schmidt req. Husband Gene & Family Wednesday, March 14 8:00AM †Dorothy Marecki req. Loretta Marecki †Fr. Ron Lewinski req. The Kennedy Family Thursday, March 15 8:00AM Living Tyler Clausen req. Shirley Monahan Living Duane & Fran Schmidt Family †Mary Srutowski req. The Conways †Betty Tauscher req. Husband Ed & Family 9:00AM †Tom Nitch req. Gary & Rita Gunther †Joe & Antonia Karda req. Bill & Pat Karda Friday, March 16 8:00AM Living Mike &Sherry Schmidt req. Gene Schmidt Family Saturday, March 17 5:00PM Living Catherine Maier req. Vinnie & Helene Dederich †M. J. Nabasny req. Rita Nabasny & Family †Salvatore & †Michelina Panettieri req. The Family †Gertrude Ewald req. Kim Raasch †Joe & †Leona Reisinger req. Vinnie & Helene Dederich †Jim Goray req. Vinnie & Helene Dederich †William Zenkus req. Cousin Kathryn Zenkus †Catherine Maier req. Vinnie & Helene Dederich Sunday, March 18 7:30AM †Paul Smyth req. The Family †Betty Tauscher req. Jim & Barbara Czaplicki †Deacon Peter Meehan req. Lou & Sheila Bosshart †Bob Draths req. Lou & Sheila Bosshart 9:30AM Living Gene Schmidt Family Living Lisa Clausen req. Shirley Monahan †Alice Donahue 3rd Anniversary req. Victoria Hansen †Charlie Marecki req. Loretta Marecki †Brad, Sr. & †Danny Hansen req. Hansen Family †Martin Gaughan req. Matt & Marcey Gaughan †Joan Detter req. The Kever Family

Mass Times 5:00PM 7:30AM 9:30AM 11:30AM

Presiders Fr. Alexander Fr. Alexander Fr. Jacob Fr. Jacob

Deacons Deacon Howard—Preach Deacon Al—Preach Deacon Gary—Preach Deacon Mike –Preach

Lectors P. Koch J. Koch

A. Kuderna L. Zyzda

M. Grady A. Samano

S.E. Poletto H. Campos

LITURGICAL MINISTERS MARCH 17 & 18, 2018

Eucharistic Ministers

Deacon, J. Murphy J. Koch, P. Koch W. Pohl, M. Pohl D. Harmon, S. Harmon J. Schwartz

Deacon, L. Bosshart C. Cline, K. Lenzen R. Hegerle M. Manning, M. Manning J. Thompson M. Escano

Deacon B. Aden, K. Aden K. Arata, E. Arata J. Fisher, C.Lutzow E. Leuthner, D. Leuthner K. Pannhausen, H. Stumpf

Deacon J. Weiler, D.Weiler C. Smis, J. Lyman M. Job, M. Ranchero, J. Ranchero S. Scesniak

The Week Ahead Sunday, March 11 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 1:00PM St. Vincent de Paul Pasta Party 1:00PM Catholic Work Heart Meeting 6:00PM Ignite High School Youth Group Monday, March 12 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 12:00PM St. Mary Senior Meeting 7:00PM Domestic Violence Ministry Meeting Tuesday, March 13 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Adoration Begins 9:00AM Lectio Divina Bible Study 10:30AM Communication Team Meeting 2:00PM Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting 5:30PM Religious Education Program 8:30PM Adoration Ends Wednesday, March 14 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 6;30PM P.A.D.S. 7:00PM Country Fest Meeting 7:00PM Parish Choir Rehearsal Thursday, March 15 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 9:00AM Mass 7:00PM Faith Formation Ministry Meeting 7:30PM Contemporary Choir Rehearsal Friday, March 16 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Divine Mercy Chaplet 6:00PM Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 17 9:00AM Catholic Bible 101: Overview of Old Testament 9:30AM Religious Education Program Sunday, March 18 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 10:45AM New Parishioner Welcoming Session

WEDDING BANNS Elizabeth H. Starck & Brian T. Coughlin I

Lenten Schedule

STATIONS OF THE CROSS Fridays at 6:00PM: March 16, 23 SACRAMENT OF RECONCILATION All Saturdays at 4:00 PM Individual confessions may be scheduled through the parish office Added hour of confessions: March 24, 3:00–5:00 PM No Confessions on Holy Saturday, March 31 LENTEN RECONCILIATION SERVICE Thursday, March 22 7:00 PM A short Liturgy of the Word followed by an extended period for individ-ual Confessions. One need not be present at 7:00 to receive the sac-rament.

PALM SUNDAY, March 24 & 25 Saturday, 5:00 PM; Sunday, 7:30 9:30 & 11:30 AM Blessing and distribution of palms at all Masses

SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM, March 29, 30, 31 Holy Thursday, March 29 8:00 AM, Morning Prayer 7:00 PM, Mass of the Lord’s Supper Good Friday, March 30 8:00 AM, Morning Prayer 4:00 PM, Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 7:00 PM, Stations of the Cross Holy Saturday, March 31 9:00 AM, Morning Prayer with Blessing of Easter Foods 10:00 AM, Easter Egg Hunt 7:00 PM Easter Vigil, the First Mass of Easter

EASTER SUNDAY, April 1 Masses at 6:30, 8:30 & 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM

Join the Lenten Reflection Exchange St. Mary’s Communications Team invites you to share your memories during this penitential season as a part of St Mary’s Lenten Reflection Exchange. Whether it was the family’s weekly prayerful donation to Operation Rice Bowl, a Friday evening bowl of soup in prayerful soli-tude after Stations of the Cross, or particularly memorable fasts—what are your most heart- or soul-felt memories of celebrating Lent? You are welcome to send your Lenten Reflection Exchange offerings to stmotaspotlight@gmail.com. With your permission we will share at least one reflection/ritual/tradition each week in the bulle-tin and on the parish website through Palm Sunday weekend. Please keep your exchange offering to no more than 300 words so we can adhere to bulletin and website space availability.

Thisre lectioniswrittenbyMaravieAlandyandispresentedintwoparts.

Thesecondhalfwillbeprintednextweek.

PARTONEGrowingupinthePhilippines,apredominantlyCatholiccountry,Irememberanumberoftraditionsthatourfamilyobserved.Thesetraditionsshapedmyspirituallife.DuringHolyWeek,wespentourtimeinthecountryatourgrandmother’splace.Wewouldpraytherosaryeverynightonourkneesinfrontofthecruci ix,thestat-ueoftheBlessedVirginMaryandotherimagesofthesaints,allsetuponthefamilyaltar.Iremembermylegsgettingsotiredandmykneesgettingsorefromthewooden loors.OnHolyThursday,we,asafamilyandtogetherwithourcousinsandfriends,wouldvisitandprayinnolessthansevenchurches.IneachchurchtherewasthechantingofthepassionofChrist,thesingingstartingonHolyThursday,continuingthroughthenight,andendingat3:00PMonGoodFriday.Makeshifttentsequippedwithlightsandasoundsystemweresetupneareachchurch.AllwerewelcometojoininthesingingofthesacredScriptureinthevernacular.OnGoodFriday,thetraditionwasnoshowersorbathsafter3:00PMbecauseJesusisdead.Sowewouldshow-eranddressupearly.Tothisday,Ihavenot iguredoutthelogicbehindthis,exceptasaformofpenitenceandreadinesstoattendthepreachingatchurchontheSev-enLastWordsofJesus,the"SietePalabras"whichwouldstartatnoonandendat3:00PM.

Lenten Reflection Exchange

ATTENTION LECTORS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

There are still a number of open slots for the liturgies of the Triduum and Easter Sunday.

Kindly contact the head of your ministry as soon as possible to claim your role in Holy Week.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament March 13 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in the Eucharistic chapel on Tuesday, March 13, from 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM. The sign-up book is in the narthex.

St. Mary’s Seniors Membership Drive Meeting and St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon The St. Mary Senior Club will gather on Monday, March 12th at noon in the church meeting rooms. This is our annual membership drive meeting, so we

welcome all seniors to come and join us. After our short meeting we will have our St. Patrick's Day luncheon of corned beef and cabbage. For information please call Jeanne Cooper at 847-606-2357.

Pray the Daily Rosary Please join other parishioners in the Eucharistic Chapel following the 8:00 AM Mass Monday through Thursday.

Pray the Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet

The Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet is prayed in the Eucharistic Chapel on Fridays immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass .and 3:00 PM during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Family Rosary Join us for Family Rosary Saturday Devotion, requested by Our Lady of Fatima, every First Saturday of the month at 4:30 PM.

Pray for all who suffer illness, pain and grief:

Raymond Cerny, Judy Hertel;

and for the repose of all who have recently died.

Formation and Training for New Lectors Lectors have a critical role in the celebration of the Mass. Because lectors proclaim not just any word, but the word of God, it is essential that they develop the skills required to communicate God’s message competently. Through the use of voice, eye contact and personal presence, lectors help God’s

Word come alive for the assembly. This training will provide the skills and self-confidence needed for those who wish to become lectors in their own parish. Open to adults and high school students. Saturday, April 7, 2018 St. Joseph Formation Center, 112 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville 8:30 registration, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 workshop Presenter: Maureen Evers, Pastoral Associate, St. Mary of Vernon To Register: go to www.vic1chicago.org Questions? Contact Sue Matousek at smatous@stmota.org The Formation Center is in the strip mall south of St. Joseph Parish. Parking and entrance is in the rear of the building. The Center is handi-capped accessible.

Featured CD for March

Religionless Spirituality: Why We Need the Church

by Dr. Tim Gray

Renowned Scripture scholar and author, Dr. Tim Gray, provides a fascinating explanation of the importance of the visible Church and the centrality of God on Earth. He offers incredible insights that make clear the role of the Church as an essential part of God’s plan for salvation, insights which are sure to help those who have left her or who mistak-enly claim to be “spiritual, but not religious.”

Feature CDs may be found at the wooden kiosk in the narthex.

Please remember a $3 donation per CD is suggested to allow the parish to continue the program and offer new material.

Stewardship Report Sunday Collection March 4, 2018 $ 24,684.03

Budgeted Weekly Collection $ 21,730.77

Difference $ 2,953.26

Current Fiscal Year-to-Date* $ 797,199.64

Budgeted Sunday Collections To-Date $ 782,307.69

Difference $ 14,891.95

Difference vs. Last Year $ 10,258.20

*Note: YTD amount reflects updates by bank to postings and adjustments.

Communal Responsibility The people of God forgot the covenant and flouted God’s laws. They did not listen to the prophets among them, who spoke for God in warning them. Prophets are sent from God to remind us why we are here, but they are often, even in our own time, mocked, disregarded, and mistreated rather than thanked and listened to. The book of Chronicles tells the results of these sins: the destruc-tion of the temple and all of Jerusalem, murder, mayhem, and finally exile to a foreign land. Why are these stories in the Bible? Just to inform us of what happened to our ancient forebears? What good would that be unless there were a message and a warning for us as well? Are we people who follow the teachings of God, who obey the words of Christ in the second covenant in his blood? Or do we continue to wreak works of darkness and violence? We are reminded by these readings that we will be judged as a people, not just as individuals.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Deacon Deliberations by Deacon Gary Kupsak

“Are We Spiritually Well?” Today, one of the greetings or salutations that is often on people’s lips is, “Are you well?” Now normally we take that to mean, are we healthy, are we free of the flu or other illnesses that so often affect us. Especially, if you’re like me, on the other side of 65 years old and the machine is beginning to break down. Health club membership is booming. The “CrossFit” craze has hit middle America and some form of physical wellness is on most people’s minds. Back in the day when people would ask you where you were from, most people would answer with the name of the parish they attended. Today, people want to know at which gym you work out or who your personal fitness train-er may be. Although physical wellness is extremely important, I would like you to reflect for a couple of minutes on another kind of wellness, your “Spiritual Wellness.” Now Spiritual Wellness can mean many different things to someone. Many automatically connect spirituality to their religious beliefs, in our case the beliefs of the Catholic Church. However, spiritual wellness can be as simple as connecting to the world around you and discovering meaning and purpose in your life. May I suggest to you what I feel describes Spiritual Wellness in our everyday Catholic lives: • Spiritual Wellness involves finding meaning and purpose in life

(do our lives matter and have some impact on developing the Kingdom of God).

• Integrating one’s spiritual beliefs and values with one’s actions (do we “walk the talk” and live our lives based on our faith, is our value system based on the Gospels).

• Enhancing the connection between mind, body and spirit (do we recognize that being “well” is a combination of mental, physical and trust in God and do something about it if we’re lacking in any of the connectors).

Most of us probably feel that we are “Spiritually” pretty well. Here’s how you can rate your “Spiritual Wellness” by asking yourself a few simple questions, and then candidly answering them. 1. Am I usually accepting of others? 2. Am I able to forgive other people? 3. Am I able to forgive myself? 4. Do I help serve my faith community? 5. Do I feel fulfilled on most occasions? 6. Do I willingly participate in spiritual activities within or outside my

faith community? 7. Do I feel a harmony between what is inside me (my core values)

and the pull of forces outside of me? Scoring Scale: 7-6 Yes = spiritually well; 5-4 Yes = on the way to Spiritual Wellness; 3-1 Yes = may want to think about seeing a Spiritu-al Director. Be well my friends, be “Spiritually Well.” With the grace of God, we can all be in “Tip/Top” spiritual condition.

Childcare at 9:30 Mass Childcare is available during the 9:30 Sunday morning Mass in Meeting Room 3. questions: Kitty.white.kw@gmail.com

Please save the date for

St. Mary of the Annunciation Women's Retreat

October 6th & 7th, 2018 Siena Center, Racine, WI

Formation and Training for New Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Saturday, April 7, 2018 St. Joseph Formation Parish Center 112 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, Il 60048

8:30 AM Registration; 9:00-Noon Training Workshop Presenter: Fr. Joe Curtis This preparation session will focus on: • The Ministry of Eucharist: Our Baptismal Call to Ministry • A Theology of Eucharist as Celebrated in the Roman Catholic Tradition • Rooted in scripture and the early Church, through the Second Vatican

Council • Historical aspects of our celebration of Eucharist in practice and devotion • Review of the Liturgy of the Eucharist and how our ministry as EOM’s

‘fits’ • Questions and Answers To Register: Go to www.vic1chicago.org Questions? Contact Sue Matousek at smatous@stmota.org A follow up session will take place ithat will include a practicum on the particular practices for distribution of the Eucharist. This training meets the Archdiocesan requirements for mandation or remandation. The Formation Center is in the strip mall south of St. Joseph Parish. Parking and entrance is in the rear of the building. The Formation Center is handicapped accessible.

St. Mary of the Annunciation Welcoming Ministry If you would like to become a registered member of our parish community please

come to our March Welcoming Session and learn more about the vari-ous ministries and opportunities to share in the sacramental, spiritual, and social life of the parish!

Sunday, March 18, 2016, 10:45-11:15AM in Room #1 We look forward to meeting you! Questions: contact Diane Mulroe dmulroe@stmota.org

Help Needed for Easter Food Baskets St. Vincent de Paul Ministry will collect food for area clients and for the Holy Family Food Pantry. They will then prepare and deliver food baskets this Easter season.

Additional food items are needed to fill the baskets. Can you help? There will be a collection area in the Narthex for items beginning Sat-urday March 3rd thru Sunday March 18, 2018. Please check the expiration date on all food items. Items that are most needed are: Sugar (small boxes) Oil (small bottles) Diapers (sizes 5 & 6) Canned Vegetables Bags of Rice Bags of Dry Beans Canned Soups Other Items needed: Hams Pre-packaged dinners Canned Tuna Pancake Mix & Syrup Potatoes, onions– 5-pound bags Bread – rolls Breakfast Cereal Peanut Butter & Jelly Crackers, Cookies, Popcorn Juice boxes Flour Canned Fruit Pasta products & Sauce Paper Products (paper towels, toilet paper, etc) If you’d like us to do the shopping for you, place any local store gift cards, (Jewel, Aldi, Target, or Goodwill) cash or check in the Alms for the Needy SVDP box. The box is located on the wall, next to the south entrance of the sanctuary. You may also give it to a SVDP member or hand it in at the Parish Office. Please make your check payable to St Vincent de Paul and indicate “Food Drive” on the memo line. Contact Jan Sinkovek at 847-561-8877 for more information.

SAVE-THE–DATE VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

JUNE 18-22, 2018

Make a splash with SPLASH CANYON

and discover God’s Promise on Life’s Wild Ride

Questions? Contact Breanna Piland and Megan Mandro

stmarysvbs16@gmail.com

St. Mary Youth Ministry

Ignite Youth Group IGNITE is our high school youth group that

meets on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. In March we will meet on the

11th and 25th. All high school teens are welcome to join us! These nights include a teaching on our faith, discussion, games and snacks.

The theme for upcoming nights are the Sacraments of Initiation.

Steubenville Youth Conference Do you feel distant from God? FEAR NOT! We have a FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY for YOU!! Join St. Mary Youth Ministry this upcoming July at a Steubenville Youth Conference at Carthage College in Wiscon-sin. The weekend consists of many fantastic speakers, small group ses-sions, and a live band for praise and worship. This is a chance to have God reveal himself to you. If interested please contact Grant in the parish office!

Catholic Heart Work Camp Sign-up for the 2018 CHWC mission trip to Knoxville, TN is now CLOSED. Those who have been accept-ed to the team will meet on Sunday, March 11, at 1:00 PM in meeting rooms 1 & 2. As we are getting closer to the mission trip it is important that all team members be present for these meetings in order to properly prepare for the trip. See all of you then!

Night of Worship with Chris Tomlin & Matt Maher

Join St. Mary Youth Ministry in a Night of Wor-ship on April 7th, hosted by Chris Tomlin and

featuring Catholic artist Matt Maher. The event cost will only be $26 which includes transportation to the concert. There will be many great artists per-forming. We hope you can join us in this night of prayer! This event is for 7th–12th graders and registration forms must be turned in by Monday, April 2, 2018. There are only 15 spots available so turn in forms ASAP. Any ques-tions? Please contact Grant.

Sports Night Our next Sports Night will be held on Saturday, March 24 after the 5pm mass over in Diantha Hall. This time we will be playing basketball! There will be pizza and beverages after we play.

This is open to all high school students and it is a great way to get to know other Catholic teens while just playing a sport! If the weather coop-erates we may be able to play outside.

F isch–ing Lines by Deacon Howard Fischer

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert-like

island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the is-land.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained bar-ren. After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing. Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing. Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings since none of his pray-ers had been answered. As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a Voice from heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?” “My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unan-swered and so he does not deserve anything.” “You are mistaken!” the Voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have re-ceived any of my blessings.” “Tell me,” the first man asked the Voice, “what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?” “He prayed that all your prayers be answered.” For all we know, our blessings are the fruits of another praying for us and not the result of our own prayers! God’s blessings certainly aren’t due to any merits of our own. This is especially true of the most pre-cious gift of all—the gift of salvation. Salvation is purely a gift which we cannot earn. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16–17) How often do we hoard our blessings like an entitlement? How often do we judge the worthiness of someone else’s character, spirituality or actions (especially as they compare—unfavorably, we think—to our own)? How often do we pray that the prayers and needs of others be answered…ahead of our own? During this season of Lent, may we remove any sense of self-satisfaction and all judgmental attitudes. Let us pray for the grace we need to do God’s will. And trusting that the Lord will always take care of us, let us pray first for the needs of others. If you wish to con-tact me, please send an email to deaconhwf99@yahoo.com.

St. Vincent de Paul Society’s 16th Annual

Pasta Party

16th Annual

Pasta Party Sunday, March 11, 2018

St Mary of the Annunciation School In Diantha Hall (the school gym)

Dinner served 1:00–4:00 PM.

Raffle Drawing at 3:30 PM

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) cordially invites you to enjoy a wonderful afternoon of food, fun and fellowship with your family and friends. The featured attraction is a delicious dinner catered by Tina G’s Restaurant in Mundelein. Our thanks go to Tina and Phil Gilardi Jr. for their generous donation of the dinner and their hard-working staff .

Tasty Pasta with Sauce and Meatballs Crisp Garden Salad with Dressing Fresh Italian Bread Scrumptious Desserts Choice of Coffee or Tea included Beer, Wine, and Pop are available for an additional donation

TAKE OUT

AVAILABLE

Dinner Donation

Tickets Available In the Narthex

After weekend Masses,

starting February 24

Until March

11, 9:30 Mass At Diantha

Hall

Adults $12.00 $15.00 Children 4 to 12 $ 5.00 $ 6.00

Children 3 &

under Free Free

Cash Raffle Prizes: $125, $75, $50 Tickets available in the Narthex $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00

Cash and Door prize tickets will be available at the dinner. Winners need not be present to win.

Proceeds from this event benefit those served by the St. Mary Conference of the

Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Thank you for your support!

Treasures from Our Tradition Year B of the Lectionary has the Letter to the Ephesians today. Ephesus, today in Turkey, was in the first century a great Greek city, the center for the worship of Diana, the goddess of the hunt. It was a vast city even by modern standards, having nearly half a million peo-ple in the time of Paul. Yet that was a time of economic recession and moral decay. No wonder Saint Paul stayed here the longest. It gave him an enormous and religiously curious audience. His preaching stirred up the artisans who depended on the pilgrims who came to honor (and buy mementos of) seventeen gods and goddesses en-shrined in the city’s temples. You can still see the open-air theater where Paul’s homily triggered a riot. Paul did have success here, and many conversions among Jews and Gentiles. They seem to have struggled with hope, perhaps because of their suffering from economic woes and isolation. Some old traditions say that the Apostle John lived out his days here, and that the Blessed Mother was cared for by him. There’s no biblical basis for this, but it is certain that a small house just outside the city has been treasured by Christians and Muslims for centuries as the last dwelling of Mary. Long ago, the harbor silted up and the city was nearly abandoned, becoming a small village. As is so often the case, that accident of history preserved the ancient city, so that arche-ologists have been very successful in revealing ancient Christian sites. One such site is the Church of Mary, probably the first church to be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and the site of the Council of Ephesus in 431. Today, a visit to Ephesus is one of the most rewarding jour-neys for any pilgrim.

—Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

HUMAN CONCERNS COMMISSION: The mission of the Human Concerns Commission is to promote the word and manifest the love of Jesus Christ by helping those who are in need, following the principle that “whatever you do to the least of my people, you do unto me.”

Fourth Sunday in Lent: Num. 21:4-9; Ps. 107:1-3, 17-22; Eph. 2:1-10; Jn. 3:14-21 Pray with us: Spirit of Christ, you breathe life in abundance in desert places where we often see only barrenness and waste lands. As you were lifted up for the life of the world, lift us up as caretakers of those places where life is hidden, vulnerable and precious in your eyes. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Use environmentally-friendly, non-toxic clean-ing products. Diluted white vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum and hard water deposits from smooth surfaces, yet it’s gently enough to use in solution to clean hardwood flooring. White vinegar is a natural deodor-izer, absorbing odors instead of covering them up.

The Military Ministry is seeking to up-date our database. If you are a Veteran or someone in your family is currently deployed or a Veteran (living or de-ceased) we would like to add the names to our prayer list. Please stop in the parish office and fill out a card.

FINDING HOPE/HEALING HEARTS

The next grief support group be-gins Thursday April 5, 2018. Meet and journey with other adults who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Register now in the office for this 10 week program of hope and healing.

Thursday Evenings 6:30-8:00pm

April 5 through June 7, 2018

Caring for Loved Ones at Life's End An old Irish proverb says, "It is in the shelter of each other that the people live." Indeed, we are created to depend upon one another and walk together in suffering. But when family members or friends approach life's end, we may not know how best to "shelter" them. Here are some additional concrete ways we can compassionately care for them. (2nd in a series of articles from USCCB) Be Steadfast in Compassion: As Pope Francis reminds us, "Compassion means 'suffer with.' Your friend or family member will likely face ups and downs. Recognize these as part of a natural process. Surround him or her with love, support, and companionship that are "anchored in unconditional respect for their human dignity, beginning with respect for the inherent value of their lives." The patient's suffering can be alleviated by your empathy, as well as by quality hospice care by medical personnel. Help Them Achieve Closure: Help your family member or friend define the unfinished personal projects, financial concerns, unresolved relationships, or other matters that occupy his or her mind. Due to changing circumstances, some goals may need to be reframed. Creating and accomplishing this list of unfinished business can help the person discover a sense of purpose and feel more at peace. Provide Opportunities for Resolution: Ira Byock, a hospice medical director, illustrates in his book The 4 Most Important Things how saying "I love you," "I'm sorry," "I forgive you," and "Thank you" can promote much-needed healing during the dying process. You can help ensure a peaceful transition for your loved one by facilitating opportunities for reconciliation with others and for mutual expressions of love and gratitude. Consider offering to invite a priest to hear his or her confession and to administer the Eucharist as viaticum and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, all of which heal the soul and prepare us to meet the Lord. Accompanying a loved one in his or her last days is enormously important work, but we do not need to fear our own limitations. Pope Francis tells us, "[God] comes to assist us in our weakness. And his help consists in helping us accept his presence and closeness to us. Day after day, touched by his compassion, we also can become compassionate towards others.

Human Concern Commission Members: Carey Marciniak, Chairperson; Deacon Gary Kupsak, Kathleen DeCaire-Aden, Kris Crotty, Linda Green, Tom Hanley, Mary Lou Loomis, Sue Poletto, Dan Prezell, Kristi Smith, Jan Swanson; Romaine Van Zeyl, Nydia Welles, Diane Mulroe, Staff Liaison Join us for meetings 4th Wednesdays

Parish Life Survey The parish life commission invites all parishioners to fill out a short survey in order to find out which events should be held at our parish throughout the next year. We have done a survey like this in the past, but as we all know, times and interests change. If you could help by filling out this short 8-question survey, we would really appreciate it! There are now two different avenues that you can use to fill it out. 1) You can use this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7NJ7Y8W which will take you to the survey online. 2) You can visit our parish website and find the survey by clicking Parish Life at the top of the page. Any questions can be answered at parish@stmota.org. Thank you in advance for helping out this commission as we continually strive to cultivate a striving parish life here at St. Mary.

All parish children ages 10 and younger are invited to the

Youth Ministry Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday March 31 9:45 AM

(FOLLOWING THE BLESSING OF BASKETS) Bring your family for Morning Prayer and the Blessing of Easter Baskets at 9:00 AM and then come to the “hunt.” We will begin after the blessing of baskets. The hunt will take place in Diantha Hall (in the field if weather permits).

• The cost per child participating is $5.00 for treats and prizes • Children bring their own baskets; there will be a special prize

for the three most creative baskets • All funds raised will help support our teen mission trip to

Knoxville • Confirmation candidates are needed to help hide the eggs on

Saturday morning at 8:45 AM • Contact Sue Matousek at smatous@stmota.org if you would

like to help hide the eggs.

Easter Egg Hunt Sign Up

Please return to St. Mary School or the parish office Deadline: March 29

Contact Name: ________________________________________ _____ Total number of children participating

_____ Number of children age 5 and under

_____ Number of children age 6-10

_____ $5.00 per child

Fasting Together Christians who have done any study of Paul know that “flesh” for Paul is not the same as “body.” “Flesh” is what keeps us centered upon ourselves. When we are caught in old habits of self-centeredness we often know how helpless we are, how dead to the Spirit moving within us. Especially when such self-centeredness becomes or even borders on addiction we feel trapped, imprisoned, entombed. In that state of need we cry out for someone to set us free.

We are past the halfway mark of that time of year when we declare in each Sunday’s rite of scrutiny that God has given us one another as the Spirit-empowered instruments of liberation for one an-other. No one does this work of freedom alone. Fasting is a privileged kind of communion. It is a sharing of need, a celebration of absence. This aspect of Catholic spirituality is as necessary to our common life of faith as rests are in music, as voids in sculpture, as silence in pray-er.

Prayer is always joined to fasting. Fasting triggers in this season a remembrance to pray for those being brought to the font, to full communion or to reconcil-iation. Only after we have shared the absence can we come with full hearts to the paschal banquet.

What can I do to fast in communion with others?

Copyright © 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org. Text by Andrew Ciferni, OPRAEM. Art by Susie Novak. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 4:00—4:40 PM, and by appointment

Baptisms Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent. Parents are required to participate in a Baptismal Preparation class before scheduling a Baptism.

Adult Initiation Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church’s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information.

Marriage St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Church requires at least four months’ time before the marriage for adequate preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office.

Ministry of Care Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request.

New parishioners We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish’s work and mission. New Parishioner Welcome session is offered on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Time of registration is 10:45AM—11:25AM. If you are unable to make the Welcoming Session, please call the parish office to schedule time to register.

Mass

Saturday 5:00 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM

Weekday Monday—Friday

8:00 AM

PARISH NUMBER 847-223-0010

Parish Emergency 224-358-3210

Parish Fax 847-223-5960

22333 W. Erhart Road • Mundelein, Illinois 60060 • WWW.STMARYFC.ORG Email: parish@stmota.org Frassati Catholic Academy: Mundelein Campus: 847-223-4021 Wauconda Campus: 847-487-5600

Religious Education Program (REP) Emergency Number 847-239-2725 Parish Office Hours Monday–Friday 8:30AM–4:00PM

Parish Staff Dcn. Howard Fischer Ext. 215

Director of Parish Operations HFischer@stmota.org

Ms. Tammy Kleckner Ext. 310 Principal, FCA cclcprincipal@gmail.com

Ms. Penny Elwood Ext. 217 Bookkeeper/Accountant Bookkeeper@stmota.org

Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant parish@stmota.org

Mr. James Shaffer Maintenance

Rev. Ed Pelrine Weekend Associates

Rev. Jerome Jacob Ext. 213 Pastor FrJerry@stmota.org

Rev. Matthew Alexander, STL Ext. 212 Associate Pastor FrMatt@stmota.org

Deacons Mike Alandy, Gary Kupsak, Robert Poletto, Alan Sedivy

Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 234 Director of Music & Liturgy FVipond@stmota.org

Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education SMatous@stmota.org

Ms. Diane Mulroe Ext. 216 Director of Human Concerns DMulroe@stmota.org

Mr. Grant Bright Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry GBright@stmota.org

Pastoral CouncilMary Lou Loomis

Joaquin Valdes Cassandra Dye Kathy Lenzen Pete Coughlin

Dan Prezell Sheila Dalton

Carey Marciniak Marivie Alandy

Sandra Fioretti-Frank Jon Mfatousek*

Linda Green

Finance Council

Larry Molloy Denise Fuller

Joe Tylka Tom Zengeler Roger Fisher Patrick Tracy

Karl Kompare Carl Calabrese

John Malone*

*ex-officio, secretary